Hmm this is an awkward shape. I vote for putting be bed in the top left corner in front of the window.

Do you have a pic from the other direction? Where is the door?

I feel the bare wall is the proper place for the head of your bed (as is).

Do you live here and use this room, or is this a vacation home or a vacation rental? I"m thinking a pop up trundle would work well if it is used only occasionally or while vacationing. or during vacations.

So the door is right where I took the pic and a small closet space to the left of me.

The wall is technically on the side of the bed and your head should be positioned where the window wall is. If that makes sense. I just figure out a good fengshui for this room!

I think deco's idea of a pop up trundle is brilliant!! I've slept on one of those before and it's perfectly fine.

Trundle is a good idea but we do use this home often. I rent it out for 4 weeks then my family escapes from the city pretty much every other weekend.

I would use a Daybed so that you get more space around the bed and it would also make the room seem larger. Another option would be a Murphy bed.

It would be helpful to get a little pencil sketch with dimensions.

I think you're right that it seems awkward as it is now. I think it would feel better back in the nook with one small nightstand or a few of those wood photo display ledges on the wall to sit a book or drink. You then could put some streamlined sconces at the head of the bed. You might also want to look for a dresser that is short but wide that would fit at the foot of the bed.

I agree with jg .. it's the dresser that's the problem. I don't understand the headboard issue at all .. but it is rather late. :-)

I love the position of the bed now and agree it is the size of the dresser that is the issue. I love the turquoise, especially in a beach house. What about sconces (built-in) on either side of the bed for reading?

And why not just attach a headboard to the wall ?

I think the bed is with the longest side next to the wall. The head of the bed is on the side of the dresser. Is it not ???

Patricia, I did wonder .. just because of the comment re the headboard. But, to me, the bed looks almost square, anyway.

^Patricia I think you're right. I'd place the bed in the nook and run a rod corner to corner in the nook and hang fabric to act as a headboard and to disguise the placement of the window. I'd then place sconces on either side of in the nook. It would make it cozy and intimate to curl up in day or night. Plus the fabric will soften the room and add a focal point.

It looks as though it would then be very difficult to get to either window, without crawling all over the bed to do so ! :-) .. which is likely why a new arrangement is being sought ?

I wish the OP to come back and give us some more information. At this stage we're only second guessing. A few measurements of the room would be nice for us to come up with some advice. (that rhyming was unintentional btw) :D

:-)

many have given great ideas above.. random crazy idea: how about just a mattress on the floor bed? :p

Some very creative thoughts. I will get back with measurements. Because its 100+ yrs old, the placement of certain things in the house is awkward altogether. (Ie windows). I was thinking about building a double sides headboard something simple- on the side of the bed that is against the wall and toward the dresser. Maybe the dresser needs to go, but it is functional ;(. Sconces won't work bc of the thickness of some of the walls.

I think you should put the bed where your vanity currently is. You could probably open up some more room to move around.

What about painting a headboard on? Maybe a little shallow molding, filled in with a complementary color?

1) you know what? just place your bed in teh centre in such a way that headboard is against the wall you want it against (i-e alcove wall).. while foot is towards the other window, leaving no space there.. thennn... what is the depth of the area then from the bed side to window where the dresser is? seems 4ft to me.. if it isn't too deep, then you could build a deck there, lower than the window but flush with bed and window wall, and add storage underneath it (like a chest underneath)? see image attached lower. in this way area beyond bed becomes a no-go area but has an interesting feature and serves as night table too and a bench as well.. (hoping teh view outside is great, wishing that the window was larger in length...

2) or you can get those two sided headboards, and place bed in between the windows in the corner (where the dresser is currently).. such as this: and place the dresser in the extreme corner in the alcove area, also filling space that may be left between dresser & bed, in that alcove area, by building storage there.. for the area remaining on either side of bed, squeeze in a nesting table or do so:
3) or do something like this: or this using acrylic sheets as division or glass..

I think a lower bed frame, like the captain's beds or the asian style where it's just the mattress on the box...would compliment the room and draw less attention to the bed by reducing the height. Plus it would give you some additional storage options.

Something like this...
http://www.ny-furniture.com/Captains-Bed.htm
http://www.paramountmatt.com/Captains%20beds%2010-12.jpg

I'm not sure if you have considered art for the space, but it definitely brings a room to life. Feel free to take a look at the work I have and see what strikes you.

http://angelina-vick.artistwebsites.com/index.html

A few I thought of:
http://angelina-vick.artistwebsites.com/featured/ocean-1-angelina-vick.html
http://angelina-vick.artistwebsites.com/featured/diving-into-your-ocean-3-angelina-vick.html
http://angelina-vick.artistwebsites.com/featured/the-garden-of-your-mind-4-angelina-vick.html

And a few more ideas...

Here's one prescription that could pull it all together for you. Heavy Duck grommet drapery double width over the entire back window wall - behind bed headboard - move bed into nook. (Pull open to right during day behind low headboard - maybeangled bannana leaft weave / or padded and upholstered with outdoor fabric / extra Euros so you can nest in bed. Change to easy to make duvet covered comforter w/ folded quilt at base layered across.
On right wall add ledge approx 18" above bed height, about 22" off headboard - 5 - 6" deep x 42"l - brackets above nautical style. Add puck lights under or clip on LED arc reading lights. Use the bump out for dresser on side wall, centered, small x bench at end of bed. That will add a lot of comfort.

how about this to divert attention from the issues

Why not use room dividers for a headboard. You could use them horizontally or vertically depending on what you find. If you go to room divider websites they make plain canvas dividers for do it yourself paint or paper. Another option is long wood art panels or a white washed wood application. I have even seen wood pallets used. Get an oversized bedspread that covers the sides of the bed. Line pillows along the back. So many creative options. Make it unique.

Couple of pics. Google beachy headboards.